Cultivating Gratitude: A Spiritual Reflection on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is more than a national holiday; it is a spiritual practice celebrating God’s abundance and expressing gratitude for all that God provides. Lewis Center…
Browsing: Faith Formation
Articles
Cultivate Generosity through Thankful Living
Sharron Blezard emphasizes fostering a lifestyle of gratitude, or “thanksliving,” in both individual and congregational practices. She encourages creative, intentional ways to inspire deeper discipleship…
10 Keys to Intergenerational Leadership
Intergenerational leaders are fostering communities of hope and creativity by prioritizing relationships, embracing diverse gifts, and encouraging discipleship across all ages. Valerie Grissom identifies 10…
3 Key Principles for Intergenerational Preaching
What does intergenerational preaching look like? David Csinos shares that it is an emergent, experimental, and highly contextual endeavor that disrupts traditional homiletical norms. He…
Welcoming Young Adults: An In-Depth Interview with Dr. Reggie Blount
Where are all the young people? Does the church really want to do ministry with them? In this interview, Doug Powe speaks with Dr. Reggie…
“Welcoming Young Adults” featuring Reggie Blount
Podcast Episode 152 How can congregations engage in ministry with young adults? Reggie Blount shares ways congregations can strengthen their ministry with young adults through…
11 Simple Ideas to Make Your Church More Intergenerational
A congregation can start becoming more intergenerational by simply inviting one more generation to take part in any congregational event or activity. The authors of…
Being the Body of Christ through Intergenerational Christian Practice: An In-depth Interview with Valerie Grissom
How can intergenerational Christian practice foster relationships with God and community by engaging persons of all ages? In this interview we speak with Valerie Grissom,…
“Being the Body of Christ through Intergenerational Christian Practice” featuring Valerie Grissom
Podcast Episode 151 How can intergenerational Christian practice foster relationships with God and community by engaging persons of all ages? We speak with Valerie Grissom,…
5 Benefits of Intergenerational Christian Formation
A family of faith more fully reflects the body of Christ when generations come together, and each individual brings their unique, God-given gifts. The authors…
The Great Omission
Michael Adam Beck and Stephanie Moore Hand say that if we take from Jesus’s Great Commission only the call to “make disciples” we are omitting…
3 Clues for Reaching New Believers
Lovett H. Weems Jr. shares metrics for gauging your church’s effectiveness in bringing new people to faith. He also outlines three clues that can help…
“The Benefits of Intergenerational Christian Formation” featuring Holly Allen
Podcast Episode 147 How can bringing different generations together in worship, learning, and community promote faith formation? Holly Allen discusses the benefits of a more…
Close Generation Gaps, Deepen Relationships
How can congregations close generation gaps by building intergenerational relationships and ministries? Laura Buchanan offers several ways congregations can create opportunities for people from different…
Intergenerational Ministry for the Post-pandemic Church
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe says siloed age-level ministries often prevent congregations from worshiping together around one common table. But the pandemic provided an opportunity…
A Growing Church Understands the Interconnection between Discipleship and Evangelism
Rev. Dr. Michael L. Henderson Sr. describes how a church he planted grew to over 7,000 members through an intentional process for developing disciples grounded…
8 Strategies for Reaching and Developing Gen Z
How can congregations build meaningful connections with young adults? Brandi Nicole Williams, Director for the African American Church Evangelism Institute, offers eight practical strategies for…
5 Compass Points Guide Character Formation and Lifelong Discipleship for Youth
The Fuller Youth Institute’s “Faith Beyond Youth Group” research initiative explored character as the vehicle for both faith longevity and faith vibrancy throughout the week.…
Helping Youth Form a Lasting Faith: An In-Depth Interview with Brad Griffin
How can your youth ministry cultivate a faith that stays with a young person as they mature through adulthood? Ann Michel of the Lewis Center…
“New Approaches to Help Youth Form Lasting Faith” featuring Brad Griffin
Podcast Episode 140 How can your youth ministry cultivate a faith that stays with a young person as they mature through adulthood? We speak with…
7 Trends Impacting Church Leadership for 2024
Ann Michel, Doug Powe, and Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff identify seven trends church leaders should keep in mind as they develop creative…
Discipleship and Mission in the Micro Church Movement in Australia: An In-depth Interview with Bree Mills
What are micro churches and how do they disciple missional leaders? Bree Mills, director of Micro Churches Australia shares about the characteristics of micro churches,…
“Discipleship and Mission in the Micro Church Movement in Australia” featuring Bree Mills
Podcast Episode 135 What are micro churches and how do they disciple missional leaders? In this episode, Bree Mills, director of Micro Churches Australia, shares…
Understanding the Cultural Realities of Children and Youth Today
Janet Craswell and Angela Pupino of National United Methodist Church say ministries with children and youth were severely impacted by the pandemic and are still…
5 Key Principles for Fostering Generosity in Children
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says the church needs to renew efforts to foster generosity in our children. She shares five principles that…
Leading Voices: “Great Leaders are Teachers and Learners”
“Great Leaders are Teachers and Learners” is presented by Gretchen Rehberg, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Lewis…
6 Tools for Holy Work With Children
Tanya Campen offers six tools to help children process their experiences and discoveries about God. Through story, liturgy and ritual, relational awareness, memory markers, wonder,…
4 Functions of a Church Choir
Brian Hehn says a church can have a vital music ministry if its choir focuses on four key functions — leading and enlivening congregational singing,…
4 Characteristics of Good Discipling Relationships
Phil Maynard and Eddie Pipkin say education-based approaches to spiritual formation often fail to form disciples committed to Christlike living. They suggest doing what Jesus…
Creating a Safe Space for Holy Work with Children
Tanya Campen describes how practicing respect, preparation, and presence create safe spaces where children are valued and respected. She highlights the importance of preparing ourselves…
